Can-opener



J. J. SALMON.

CAN OPENER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1. 1919.

' 13333,4:5 0. Patented Mar. 9,1920.

' AWENT JOHN JySALMON, or SALT LAKE cirx u'ran.

CAN-OPENER.

To all whom it may concern l' Be it known that 1, JOHN J. SALMON, citizen of the United States, residing at Salt Lake city, in the county of Salt Lake and State of Utah, have invented new and usefulaside from performing the function of puncturing the cans may also be used as a demos for severing the'tops from the cans.

A still further object is to rovide a utensil of the kind mentioned which is simple in construction, durable and effective in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other and further objects appear in the following description, wherein the invention is set forth in detail. v

To the exact construction in which it is shown and described, the invention is not to I be restricted. The right is reserved to make such changes or alterations as the actualreduction to practice may suggest, in so far as such changes or alterations are compatible with the annexed claim. i

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top planview of the improved device.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional .view.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown as comprising a ring member 1 formed with an inturned annular flange 2 at one edge. Disposed diametricallyacross this ring member there is a handle member consisting of the transverse portion 3 formed at opposite ends with depending legs 1, the outer faces of the latter lying against the edge of the flange 2. At their lower ends, the legs '4 are formed with outturned right angular portions 5 which abut the inner periphery of the ring 1 as well as the under face of the flange 2. The handle member is thus secured to the ring by having the right angular portions 5 riveted, soldered, fused or otherwise suitably secured to the flange andto the ring 1.

On their end faces, the right angularly Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 9, 1920.

- Application-filed May 7, 1919. Serial No. 295,517.

disposed portions 5- are provided with the conical shaped supports '6 and the transverse portion 3 of the handle is also provided with s milar portions, these supports'7 being posltioned adjacent the legs 4.

Condensed milk is put up in cans of two specific sizes, the larger size being approximately 3 inches in diameter and the smaller size 25% inches in diameter. The ring 1 is of such a diameter that it snugly surrounds one of the larger sized cans, and when placed over the upper edge of the cans, the supports 6 are brought into contact with the top thereof. In practice these supports are 2% inches apart, each being of an inch from the edge of the can. When pressure is exerted on the handle, therefore, the

supports are forced into the top of the can,

thus forming two holes either one of which may be employed as a pouring opening and the other as an opening to permit air to enter the can to facilitate pouring. The supports 7 secured tothe transverse portion 3 of the handle are in practice 2%; inchesapart and their points stand 1 3' of an inch from the inner faces of the le s 4, the distance between which is 2%; inc es, the diameter of the smaller sized cans. The legs of the handle member, therefore, serve to snugly span the smaller sized can to properly position the supports 7 on the top thereof. lVhen in such position pressure exerted 'on top of the transverse portion will force the supports into the top of the can in the same manner that the supports 6 are forced into the top of a larger sized can. With thetwo sizes of cans, therefore, the ring acts as a guide for the larger size and the legs of the handle as a guide for the smaller size, both the ring and the handle legs serving to properly position the supports on the top of the can to be punctured.

While the device is intended primarilyas a utensil for puncturing condensed milk cans, it may also be used for other purposes and may be used as a device for severing the top from the can. When performing the latter function, the ring or the legs act as guides as before andif a turning movement be imparted to the transverse portion 3, the

supports will be turned around and the top The invention havingfbeen described, What outturned angular portions being secured to is claimed as new and useful is: said flange, and supports earned by the 10 A utensil of the kind described comprisright angular portions and by the transverse ingva ring formed on one edge With an inportion of the handle for the useful purpose 5 turned annular flange, a handle member specified.

composed of a transverse portion having de- In testimony whereof I aflix. my signature.

pending legs and outturned angular por- 4 tions at the extremities of the legs, the said JOHN J. SALMON. 

